Laval community in shock after bus crashes into daycare, killing 2 children

Anna-Maria simply could not hold back tears.

The Laval resident was in shock, disbelief and overcome with sadness at the deaths of two young children after a city bus crashed into a Sainte-Rose daycare Wednesday morning.

MAIN STORY: 2 kids dead, 6 others injured after Laval bus crashes into daycare; driver arrested

Six other children were hospitalized with non-life-threatening injuries.

The 51-year-old bus driver was arrested and was charged with two counts of first-degree murder, attempted murder, aggravated assault and assault with a weapon or causing bodily harm.

“My daughter takes her kids every day to daycare, considering it’s a safe place,” Anna-Maria told CityNews through tears. “But not even daycares. It’s impossible what goes through people’s minds. It’s unacceptable. Unacceptable.

“This is real. It’s impossible that somebody could think of doing that.

“This could happen to anybody. You think you’re at a safe place, going to a daycare.”

Teddy bear and flowers in the snow at the scene of a fatal bus crash at a Laval daycare on Feb. 8, 2023. (Credit: CityNews/Kwunkeyi Isichei)

Just a few streets away, at elementary school École du Parc, a crisis centre was established to offer psychological support.

“It’s very shocking,” said resident Christiane Yelle. “It’s so quiet here, it’s a nice place… Now I’m with the parents and all the community, that’s for sure.”

“I live right next to where it happened, so I was pretty shocked,” added Wylliam Raymond.

It happened around 8:30 a.m. at Garderie Éducative located on Terrasse Dufferin, near Sénécal Street.

For many, the incident hit far too close to home.

“When I found out, it really got to me because I personally know the people over there,” one person told CityNews.

“My prayers to the people that have been affected by this,” added Daniel Cohen.

#WATCH: “The children that were injured were transported to hospital, it’s psychological help right now onsite that’s being given,” said Laval Mayor Stéphane Boyer of the bus that went into a daycare in Sainte-Rose.
 
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— CityNews Montreal (@CityNewsMTL) February 8, 2023

Laval Mayor Stéphane Boyer confirmed an emphasis was being placed on psychological supports for the community while the police investigation continues.

“Obviously we’re supporting those who are in a state of shock right now,” said Boyer. “I’m letting the police officers do their work. The children who were injured were transported to hospital. It’s psychological help right now onsite that’s being given.”

“We have our prevention that are there to help to the families and everybody involved,” added a Laval police officer.